Handle means for ski pole



April 20, 1965 M. A. MILLER HANDLE MEANS FOR SKI POLES l, I I I I I I I u v Filed June 8, 1962 United States Patent Oli .tice

3,179,435 Patented Apr. 20, V1965 3,179,435 HANDLE MEANS FOR SKI POLE Melville A. Miller, West County Line Road, Barrington, Ill, Filed .lune 8, 1962, Ser.'No. 201,211 5 Claims. (Cl. 280--11.37)

This invention relates to handleV structures and, more particularly, to improvements in handle means and hand grip means for ski poles and like items of sporting equipment.

Brieiiy, the present invention is directed to an improved molded hand grip or handle means adapted to be mounted over one end of a ski pole or similar rod-like member and which is distinguished by novel resilient hand grip means and concealed connective means for positively attaching the same to one end of the pole with which it is associated.V More particularly, the improved handle means of this invention is distinguished by a plurality of manually engageable parallel ridges defined along oneserrated margin of a resilient body portion thereof; the serrated margin being contiguous to a plurality of openings or passageways extending transversely through the hanles body portion to afford improved resiliency and cushioning to the users grasp thereby to give a much improved gripping action and feel. Additionally, the handle means of this invention includes a greatly improved threaded connector means for positively joining the handle means to one end of the pole or other rod-like member with which it is associated; the connector means being completely concealed from view and external interference.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handle means particularly adapted for use with ski poles and like items of sporting equipment. A further object of this invention is to provide Va new and improved handle means, as aforesaid, embodying improved hand grip means.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved handle structure, particularly adapted for the attachment to one end of a pole, rod or like instrumentality which comprises improved concealed bodying the improved handleV means of this invention;v

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial side elevational view of the upper portion ofthe ski `pole seen in FIGURE 1 and showing the handle means of this invention in longitudinal cross section to illustrate its features of construction and assembly with the ski pole;V and FIGURE 3A is a full cross-sectional view taken substantially from vantage line 3 3 of FIGURE 2 and look-` ing in the direction of the arrows thereon.

Turning now to the features of the present invention, it will be seen in FIGURE l that the preferred embodiment therein illustrated relates to a ski pole assembly, generally designated 1) comprising an elongated tapered staff or pole member 11 having a ground-engaging pointed tip member 12 at one end thereof and an improved handle means 13 according to this invention mounted over the opposite end thereof. A snow basket 14 of generally circular disc-like formation is mounted intermediate the ends of the pole 11, adjacent the groundengaging tip member 12,according to conventional and known practice;

With particular reference to FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, the specific features and structural aspects of the handle means 13 will now be set forth. As seen in these gures, the improved handle means 13 of this invention comprises a unitary device, preferably molded of rubber or similar resilient material, to include a body `portion 15 of generally oval-shaped cross section (see FIGURE 3) integrally merged with an enlarged head portion 16 at its upper end and provided witha central cylindrical cavity or opening 17 extending inwardly from an enlarged lower end portion 18 and reaching substan tially the full length of the body portion to the latters line of merger with the head portion 16. Such central cavity 17 conforms to and receives the upper cylindrical end portion of the pole 11 with which it is to be associated, as will be amplified in greater detail presently.

Intermediate the head portion 16 and the lower end portion 1S is a-hand grip portion 19 formed along one arcuate lateral` or marginal edge of the body portion 15, disposed wholly to one side of the cavity 17 as shown in FIGURE 3. Such hand grip portion is particularly distinguished by a plurality of adjacent parallel serrations or indentations, defining a plurality of spaced teeth or -ridge members 20, 20 comprising semi-cylindrical formations aligned with their major or longitudinal axes generally transverse to the lengthwise axis of the handle body portion 15. Each ridge member 20 is contiguous to or backed-up by a transverse opening 21 (see FIGURE 3) extending through and across grip portion 19 between the lengthwise extending cavity 17 and the associate ridge portion, so that a line passing through the centers of all 'such openings 21 will be arcuate, to generally parallel the arcuate, exterior formation of the grip portion 19. It will be seen that each of the ridge members cooperates with its associated one opening 21 to afford improved resiliency of the handle under gripping pressure, productive of a more comfortable and cushioned gripping resilience to the operator or user.

The head portion 16 of the handle means is particularly distinguished by a transverse opening 25 reaching inwardly from one marginal edge 26 thereof and extending substan`- tially transversely to the major or longitudinal axis of the handle -body portion 15. Such lateral opening is substantially rectangular in cross-section and constitutes a blind opening having a hidden end or bottom wall 27 within the interior of the head portion 16. This opening 25 is adapted to `receive super-imposed layers or end portions 28 and 29 of a Wrist-engaging strap 30 which is used by the skier to assist in retaining possession of the ski pole. Such strap end portions 28 and 29 are formed with openings 31 and 32, respectively, which are registeringly aligned in assembly with handle means 13 as will now be set out.

As seen best in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the upper or head portion 16 of the handle means carries a fastener means 35 comprising a nut member imbedded therein disposed coaxially with the longitudinal axis of cavity 17. Such fastener means is preferably placed in operational position substantially as shown in FIGURE 2, preliminary to the molding operation for forming the molded handle means 13 so that the same is intimately imbedded in and embraced by the resilient material from which the handle means is fashioned. It will be seen also that the nut fastener means 35 has Ian enlarged polygonal head portion 36 which assists in anchoring the same in position and a substantiallycylindrical shank portion 37 depending from the head portion thereof; the same having an internally threaded opening therethrough for threading connection with and reception of a threaded stud connector means 3S which extends axially outwardly of the upper end of the pole element 11. Also as shown in FIGURE 2the nut fastener means, and, more particularly, the lower end of the shank portion 37 thereof is located to lie substantially flush with or slightly above the Iupper wall of the strap receptive opening 25 in the head portion 16, so as to avoid interference with the insertion of the `strap end portions 28. and 29.

As mentioned, the stud connector means 33 is associated with the pole element 11; such being accomplished by means of a cylindrical block or plug 39, of ywood or the like, inserted into the upper end of the tubular pole ele- Cil ment 11 and suitably anchored Vin position therea-t as by depressing a small area of the tubular side wall 41 of the pole element to provide a clenching prong or projection, such as indicated at 42. In this latter respect, the plug member 39 may also be aixed to the upper end of the pole element by other means such as a tight press t or by using suitable adhesive, although the clenching indentation provided by the prong means 42 is very satisfactory and simple toprovide. In any event, the `stud connector means 3S is mounted centrally of the plug element 39 so as to project axially beyond the upper` end of the tubular pole .element 11,substantially as shown in FIGURE 2. It will be noticed in this respect that in assembling the handle Opening 43 is formed through an internal web wall 44 which separates the central cavity 17 from the strap receptive opening 25, substantially at the line of junction between the head and body portions of the handle means.

From the foregoing, it will be readily understood that the assembly of the handle means 13 with they pole element 11 and strap means 30 isV accomplished iri a simple and direct manner by inserting the pole element axially into viding a cushion action to the users grasp to promote a more positive and a comfortable gripping action. It is to be recognized and understood additionally` that While the present invention has been described in association with an illustrated and preferred embodiment thereof, such is not necessarily limited to the particulars of the above described embodiment since the same is obviously susceptible to change, modification and substitution of equivalents without departure from the spirit of the present invention. As a consequence, it is not intended that this invention be limited by 'the particulars of the foregoing description and illustrated embodiment, except as may appear in the following `appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, `a pole element having a substantially cylindrical end portion, an elongated `resilient uni- .tary handle means made as a single `piece molding having t a centra-l cylindrical cavity opening inwardly of one end Vmeans 13 over the upper end of the pole element 11, the Vstud connector 38 passes through an opening 43 coaxially and registeringly aligned with the fastener means 35.

the cavity'17 of the handle means so that the connectorVV stud means 38 projecting axially beyond the outer end of the pole element passes through opening 43 in the web wallV 4,4 and through the registeringly aligned openings 31V and 32 of the strap member for threaded engagement'with and reception in the nut fastener means 3S, which is st-ationgarily held and, imbedded in the head end of the handle means. Positive threaded interconnection of the handle, strap and pole elements is then accomplished by rotating the pole element relative to the handle means so as' to eifect the desired Vinterconnection of the `fastener means 35 and studr connector 38. 'In performing this function lubrication of the sides of cavity 17 may at times be necessary to Iavoid undue yfrictional resistence to the required threading rotation of the pole element. It will be yreadily 'appreciatedk that this connective means provides a simple expedient for positively interjoining vthe strap, handle and pole elements simultaneously while maintaining the junction and connection of such elements completely concealed from view, particularly desirable in sporting goods, such as ski poles. It will also be appreciated that replacementV of the strap element 3? in the event the latter is broken, may be accomplished easily ,and expediou'sly by unthreading movement of the pole to disengage the stud connector from the nut fastener means 35 imbeded in the handle means. When rthe nut andstud are uncoupled the pole is withdrawn from the Acentral cavity 17 of the handle means, and the broken ,that the provision of the several transverse openings 21 opposite each of the grip yproviding ridges 20 of thehandle means affords a simple, yet very effective, means for pro'-,

thereof and receptive of the sai-d `end portion of said pole element, and concealed means for positively connecting said pole element to said handle means comprising threaded fastening means having an enlarged polygonal head Vportion immovalbly anchored to and inaccessibly imbedded :within the upper end of said handle means during the molding forma-tion of .the latter and-.a depending internally threaded shank portion coaxially communicating with the upper end of said central cavity, and threaded connector means fixed to and extending coaxially outwardly of said one end portion of said pole element for threading reception and coopera-ting connective engagement with the said ,fastening means Wholly Within said handle means.

2. Handle means for a ski poleand the like comprising a molded, resilient, elongated body .portion having a central longitudinal cylindrical cavity opening inwardly of one endof said Vbody portion thereof andextending substantially .the length thereof, an enlarged head portion .orrried integrally with said body portion and enclosing the opposite end of .said cavity, :fastening means inaccessibly concealed by and iixediy anchored Within said head portion and coaxially communicating with said cavity; said fastening means bein-g connectively recept-ive of cooperating connector means iixed to and projecting axially ffrom one end of a ski pole element inserted into said cavity, and hand grip means fonmed along one lateral serrated marginal portion of said body portion and comprising a plurality of parallel spaced semi-'cylindrical ridge portions, the longitudinal axes of .which ridge portions are aligned transversely and laterally outwardly of said cavity, each of said ridge portions being contiguous to a substantially cylindrical opening formed substantially ccaxially therewith and extending transversely through said body portion between said one marginal edge :thereof and said cavity, the said openings cooperating with said ridge portions to provide a cushioning action to the user when manuallyv gripping said lhandgrip means by affording inv Ward collapsing movement of said ridge portions thereof.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, rwherein said handle means is a unitary rubber molding and said fastening means is a threaded nut with an enlarged polygonal head portion intimately imbedded in and anchored to said head portion during molding formation of said handle means.

4. The combination as set forth in claim -2, in which said head portion of said handle means includes an opening extending ate-rally inwardly of one marginal edge thereot` and disposed substantially transversely of the longitudinal .axisof said cavity between the upper end of the lat-ter and said fastener means, and wrist-engaging strap means having free end portions inserted in said lateral Iopening and thereby disposed within said handle means with each of said end portions thereof having 4an opening :therethrough receptive oi the said connector means associv ated with said pole element, whereby the interengagernent of said connector and fastener means serves to anchor References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/39 Ring 2SC-11.37

1/39 Woodman 16-116 X 6 4/63 Scott 280--11.37

FOREIGN PATENTS 3/36 Switzerland. 9/59 Nonway.

I1 5 4 fItaly.

1/26 Austria. 7/5'1 Germany.

A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner.

o PHILIP ARNOLD, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A POLE ELEMENT HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL END PORTION, AN ELONGATED RESILIENT UNITARY HANDLE MEANS MADE AS A SINGLE PIECE MOLDING HAVING A CENTRAL CYLINDRICAL CAVITY OPENING INWARDLY OF ONE END THEREOF AND RECEPTIVE OF THE SAID END PORTION OF SAID POLE ELEMENT, AND CONCEALED MEANS FOR POSITIVELY CONNECTING SAID POLE ELEMENT TO SAID HANDLE MEANS COMPRISING THREADED FASTENING MEANS HAVING AN ENLARGED POLYGONAL HEAD PORTION IMMOVABLY ANCHORED TO AND INACCESSIBLY IMBEDDED WITHIN THE UPPER END OF SAID HANDLE MEANS DURING THE MOLDING FORMATION OF THE LATTER AND A DEPENDING INTERNALLY THREADED SHANK PORTION COAXIALLY COMMUNICATING WITH THE UPPER END OF SAID CENTRAL CAVITY, AND THREADED CONNECTOR MEANS FIXED TO AND EXTENDING COAXIALLY OUTWARDLY OF SAID ONE END PORTION OF SAID POLE ELEMENT FOR THREADING RECEPTION AND COOPERATING CONNECTIVE ENGAGE- 